When it comes to skincare, it is safe to say that topical solutions, including lotions, serums, and face creams, represent the focal point in the routines of many people. However, as much as topical applications are recommended as an important element of skincare, conditions such as melasma require a much deeper approach - literally, since we’re targeting the very structure of the skin.
With that said, today we’re focusing on some pretty powerful supplements, including glutathione and vitamin C, as well as collagen hydrolysate, which can not only aid in the management of melasma, but also contribute to overall skin health and maintaining its youthful appearance. If you’d like to learn more about nourishing your skin from the inside-out, keep reading.
Defining Melasma
The best way to define melasma is to view it as a pigmentation disorder, manifested through gray or brown patches mostly affecting the facial area. Besides the nose, upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, symptoms of melasma may also appear on other body parts, including shoulders and neck, as well as forearms.
While the exact cause of this skin condition is yet to be confirmed, it is believed that melasma is a direct consequence of excessive melaninproduction. So, what exactly is melanin, which may cause these patches of coloration? Melanin acts as a skin-protecting barrierin case of UV radiation, since it has been found to absorb and limit its damage. Besides acting as a photoprotective agent, melanin also has antioxidant and free-radical-scavenging properties.
Why is it then that such a beneficial skin component as melanin is believed to trigger melasma? Well, the issue lies not in melanin itself, but rather in the quantity of melanin produced, since overexposure to UV rays leads to excessive melanin production.